Commissioner for Transport Rosanna Law (second left); Principal Transport Officer (Management) Albert Ho (first left); Chief Traffic Engineer (Kowloon) Gary Wong (second right); and Chief Engineer (Smart Mobility) George Fong (first right), of the Transport Department, hold a briefing on July 20, 2023 to introduce the implementation of the HKeToll in the Cross-Harbour Tunnel on July 23. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The Transport Department announced on Thursday that the HKeToll will be implemented in the Cross-Harbour Tunnel from 5 am on Sunday.

Motorists can drive through the toll plaza and pay tunnel tolls using HKeToll without having to stop or queue at toll booths for payments, while all manual toll booths and Autotoll lanes will be canceled, the department said in a statement.

As of July 19, about 800 000 vehicle tags had been issued, accounting for about 97 percent of licensed vehicles in Hong Kong, of which about 85 percent had opened HKeToll accounts, the department added.

To tie in with the implementation of the HKeToll, temporary traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases in the vicinity of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel starting from 1 am on Sunday.

The department said both directions of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and its connecting roads will be closed from 4 am to 5 am on July 23.

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Commuters drive through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, in Hong Kong, March 22, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

During the closure of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, nine overnight franchised bus routes (N11, N118, N121, N122, N170, N171, N182, N373, N368) and one overnight green minibus route (49S) will be diverted via the Eastern Harbour Crossing or the Western Harbour Crossing.

With the progressive implementation of the HKeToll in government tolled tunnels this year, the department advised vehicle owners to complete the three steps for HKeToll service as soon as possible by installing a vehicle tag, opening an HKeToll account and setting up an automatic payment means.

If vehicle owners need assistance, they can browse the HKeToll website, call the 24-hour customer service hotline 3853 7333, or visit the four customer service centers, four service outlets, government car park service counters, and consultation counters located at designated MTR stations and Home Affairs Enquiry Centres in the District Offices.

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Following the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the government also plans to implement the HKeToll at the Western Harbour Crossing and the Eastern Harbour Crossing in August. Details will be announced separately.